Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the virtual meeting of the Bute and Cowal Community Planning Group.

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of;

Alastair MacGregor – Argyll Community Housing Association; and

Cathleen Russell – Colintraive and Glendaruel Development Trust.

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

Meeting of the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group held on Tuesday 2 February 2021

The minutes of the Bute and Cowal Community Planning Group meeting held on Tuesday 2 February 2021 were approved as a correct record.

Matters Arising

In relation to item 4 b) Area Community Planning Group Governance Arrangements, having received a late request from Sue Wallis of Volunteer Cowal (South West), the Group agreed to add her to the Membership list.

Report by Committee Manager

The Group considered a briefing note which provided an overview of the discussion which took place at the Community Planning Partnership Management Committee meeting on 10 March 2021.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group noted the briefing note.

(Reference: Briefing note by Committee Manager, dated 4 May 2021, submitted)

Verbal Update by Community Planning Manager

The Group gave consideration to a verbal update concerning the Action Plan Tracker and noted that the results from the Place Standard Engagement exercise that took place last year would be used to develop the action plans. Officers reported that short and focussed online workshops with partners would take place from August 2021 with the action plans being finalised by April 2022.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the information provided.

(Reference: Verbal Update by Community Planning Officer)

Report by Committee Manager

The Group considered a briefing note which provided some detail around the current Covid-19 infection rates in Argyll and Bute and also gives some information on the uptake of Covid-19 vaccination.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group noted the briefing note.

(Reference: Briefing note by Committee Manager, dated 4 May 2021, submitted)

Update by Chief Inspector Emma Grimason, Police Scotland

The Group considered an update advising on key activities of Police Scotland which included updates on personnel change, response to easing of lockdown restrictions, livestock attacks, fraud prevention and road policing.

Further to the submitted update the Group noted that some summer events have been cancelled including Butefest, Bute Highland Games and Cowal Games with the positon of Argyll Rally still to be decided. Inspector Boyle also reported that funding had been granted from the Scottish Government to put in place partnership working and support in anticipation of an influx of tourists into area over the summer months.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the information provided.

(Reference: Update by Police Inspector Mo Boyle – Police Scotland dated 4 May 2021, submitted)

Report by Iain Cameron - Watch Commander, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

A report highlighting the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s (SFRS) FQ4 review of local performance within Cowal, Isle of Bute and Dunoon for 2020-21 was considered by the Group.

Further to the submitted update the Group noted that Test and Protect facilities delivered within the Dunoon and Rothesay fire stations had been in operation since February and March respectively and will be in place for the foreseeable future.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group reviewed and noted the contents of the report.

(Reference: Report by Watch Commander, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service dated 4 May 2021, submitted)

Verbal Update by Jim Osborne – Chairman, Bute Island Alliance

The Group considered a verbal update from Jim Osborne, Bute Island Alliance (BIA), in relation to the position of Ardencraig Gardens. The Group noted that a meeting with BIA and the council’s asset management team had been arranged for the following week in response to the BIA’s expression of interest where it is hoped that they will be able to ascertain potential running costs.  Jim stated that it was not the intention of the BIA to take on responsibility of the gardens but to facilitate the formation of a community trust should enough suitable volunteers be found.

Discussion focused on the council decision and what options were available to ensure the continuity of the gardens.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group;

1.    noted the update; and

2.    agreed to add Ardencraig Gardens to the agenda of the next meeting of the Group.

(Reference: Verbal Update by Jim Osborne, Bute Island Alliance)

Update by Lynn Campbell - Customer Service Leader, Department for Work and Pensions

The Group considered an update from the Department for Works and Pensions (DWP) which detailed their response to Covid-19 as well as various initiatives they are involved with including the Kickstart scheme, Virtual Youth hub, Video Appointment Service and the launch of a new Universal Credit benefits checker.

Discussion focused on the uptake levels of the Post Office Account Card and the use of social media to connect with young people.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group;

1.         considered and noted the information provided; and

2.         agreed that, where appropriate, DWP information would be shared via community group’s social media pages.

(Reference: Update by Customer Service Leader - Department for Work and Pensions, dated March 2021, submitted)

Dunoon Area Alliance

Ann Campbell advised that an application to the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) to establish a Dunoon Community Development Trust had been submitted.

Skills Development Scotland

Susan MacRae advised that Skills Advisers are still operating remotely with focus being on young people who are scheduled to leave formal education this summer. Ms MacRae also advised that centre are to re-open on 17 May.

Live Argyll

Nicola Hackett advised that leisure factices and libraries are now open with a full range of programmes available.

Update by Rhona Grant, Community Learning Team Leader

The Group considered an update from Argyll and Bute Council’s Community Learning Service which detailed information on the Scottish Youth Parliament Elections 2021, Scottish Young Person Awards 2021, Argyll and Bute Community Learning Development Plan 2021-2024. The update also highlighted the work being undertaken to start the process of resuming face to face provision and Service Delivery around Recovery and Transition.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the information provided.

(Reference: Update by Community Learning and Development Assistant dated 4 May 2021, submitted)

Verbal Update by Police Inspector Boyle, Police Scotland

Police Inspector Mo Boyle updated the Group on the positon of the Police Scotland Community Engagement Team. The Group noted that the new team of community policing takes in a range of specialist officers who were looking to add value through new engagements and partnership working including a fraud awareness event due to take place online at 2.30pm on 18 May 2021.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the information provided.

(Reference: Verbal Update by Police Inspector Mo Boyle, Police Scotland)

Update by Chief Executive

The Group gave consideration to a report which set out the considerations of the EU Withdrawal Tactical Group with regard to identifying and assessing any risks relative to Argyll and Bute in relation to the UK exiting the EU.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered the report and were assured that the Council and the HSCP were as well prepared as they could be with regards to having exited the EU and are actively engaged with partners through the local and national resilience frameworks.

(Reference:  Report by Chief Executive dated 7 April 2021, submitted)

No updates provided.

Verbal update by Chair and Cathleen Russel – Chair of Colintraive and Glendaruel Development Trust.

Charles Dixon-Spain, Vice-Chair of ColGlen Community Council, on behalf to the Colintraive and Glendaruel Development Trust, advised that due to very poor connectivity in the area they have started a Community broadband project to help people in local community.  Whilst they have been unable to attract suppliers large enough to execute the project, they are looking for solutions via connectivity testing for those that request it, including promoting the use of hotspots on mobile phones.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the information provided.

(Reference: Verbal update by Vice-Chair of ColGlen Community Council, on behalf  of Colintraive and Glendaruel Development Trust)

Update by John Hair, Forestry and Land Scotland

John Hair, Forestry and Land Scotland, spoke to his submitted update describing their current priorities which included the management of Phytophthera ramorum and their land management plans on a 10 year cycle for individual forest areas.

Discussion focussed around keeping community groups up-to-date on roads closures and not only when there was a requirement for a consultation on the closure.

The Committee Manager read out questions that were submitted by Ian MacNaughton from Sandbank Community Council as follows;

1.    Given that the Scottish Government declared a "climate emergency" over a year ago what action is FLS taking to plant trees in suitable locations across the Cowal peninsula and, in particular, the land within and above the Bishop's Glen and throughout Glen Fyne?

Response from Mr Hair

All land is managed and planted with trees unless the ground is too high for sufficient tree growth consequently the land will remain open if not suitable; there is a planting programme for the  A83 Rest and Be Thankful that will start soon; and any trees felled are re-planted after 3-4 years with a greater range of species.

2.    What arrangements are being made to set aside specific areas for native species particularly broadleaf trees in addition to the extensive Sitka Spruce and Larch monoculture plantations? This occurred many years ago on land above Innellan and to a degree around the lower levels of the Bishop's Glen but there is precious little attempt being made to plant native species on the upper slopes of the Bishop's Glen and throughout much of the length of Glen Fyne.

Response from Mr Hair

Most of the plantation was done in the last century when timber production was the single objective, FLS is now looking to increase the variety of species in LM Plans as described in the report and to create a broadleaf habitat within the area to reverse the fragmentation of habitats which took place over last 100 years.

3.    As to the large blocks of private forestry planting on the hills above Dunoon, are the owners, who I understand are able to receive grants from Government to construct roads and other infrastructure, obliged to set aside land for native species planting?

Response from Mr Hair

All private or public planting needs to follow the UK forestry standard, with a minimum of 5% native species in forest areas.

4.    There is a significant area of forestry land within Sandbank Community Council's "administration" area and it would be most helpful to have an indication of FLS's local proposals given the Government's "climate emergency" announcement.

Response from Mr Hair

FLS do not manage any forest in Sandbank Community Council's area but are responding to the climate emergency by planting in anticipation of climate changes such as for wetter and windier weather by design forests to withstand these weather patterns and to plant more trees to lock up more carbon and help reduce the CO2 in the atmosphere.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the information provided.

(Reference: Update by John Hair – Forestry and Lan Scotland dated April 2021, submitted)

Verbal Update by Nicola Hackett - Business Development Manager, Live Argyll

The Group gave consideration to an update on the Community Development Plan Consultation and noted that a short survey will be posted on BaseCamp in the next few days for issuing around the networks.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the information provided.

(Reference: Verbal Update by Nicola Hackett - Business Development Manager, Live Argyll)

Report by Cristie Moore, Gaelic Development Worker

The Group considered a report which provided information on the role of the Gaelic language in Argyll and Bute; provided details of the value that the Gaelic language could bring to the improvement outcomes; and encouraged partners to continue to support the promotion and usage of the Gaelic language. 

Cristie Moore, Gaelic Development Worker, requested assistance from the Group in promoting the ongoing survey on the Gaelic language and invited Group members to pass her details to any contacts who may be interested in supporting work around Gaelic.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group agreed;

1.            to support the promotion of Gaelic where possible;

2.            to consider Gaelic as an option when looking at new and existing initiatives;

3.            to connect interested parties with the Gaelic Development Worker;

4.            to have an awareness of the Argyll and Bute Gaelic Language Plan and where possible support the objectives;

5.            to note the information provided in relation to Colmcille 1500 funding and celebration which relates to initiatives linking Scotland and Ireland; and

6.         to take forward actions, where appropriate,  identified by the Gaelic survey.

(Reference: Report by Gaelic Development Worker, Argyll and Bute Council, dated 4 May 2021, submitted)

Verbal update by Community Planning Officer

The Group gave consideration to a verbal update in reaction to the uptake and usefulness of BaseCamp noting that Bute and Cowal is the most active out of all four areas and partners were encouraged to continue to engage with the platform.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the information provided.

(Reference: Verbal Update by Community Planning Officer)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Group considered a report on the opportunities and challenges in relation to informal camping.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group;

1.    noted the content of the report and progress to date;

2.    agreed to continue to collaborate to try and address the challenges faced due to increased informal camping activity; and

3.    noted that in absence of an officer the Committee Manager would take back any questions to the relevant officer and circulate any responses to the Group.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated 4 May 2021, submitted)

The next meeting will take place at 10.00am on Tuesday 17 August 2021

The Group noted that the next meeting of the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group would take place at 10.00am on Tuesday 17 August 2021.